Thread by @Redistrict

THREAD: Dave's Redistricting App (pioneered by Seattle programmer Dave Bradlee) has always been my favorite redistricting app, hands down. And just when I thought it couldn't get better, it has.

https://twitter.com/davesredist/status/1369891084642357250

For decades, advanced redistricting technology was the domain of political insiders who could afford to pay for prohibitively expensive software. The public couldn't draft maps that met legal standards. But that's rapidly changing.

There are now several commendable free web-based apps available, including DRA, DistrictBuilder and Districtr. All required an absolute ton of work to build, and redistricting nerds are lucky each has helped democratize mapping technology.

Personally, I've found @davesredist to be the most feature-rich: it has a wealth of election data for all 50 states and updated geographies with 2018 population estimates.

In 2018, @FiveThirtyEight and I used it to create the Atlas of Redistricting. projects.fivethirtyeight.com/redistricting-…

And, it's an indispensable tool for me and @CookPolitical as we continue to roll out our 43-state 2022 redistricting preview series. If you're wondering how I/others draw these maps, @davesredist is it.

In its latest update, DRA has enabled 2020 geographies to be split down to the census block level, allowing *anyone* to draw maps suitable for submission to commissions and state legislatures.

This is a truly historic breakthrough for a free, top-notch redistricting app.

If you want to engage as a citizen in this high-stakes process, do yourself a favor: follow @davesredist, take their video tutorials & familiarize yourself with the app.

For the first time, you'll be on a level tech playing field w/ top decision-makers. davesredistricting.org/maps#home